A Different World...

...from where you come from!!

Remember that TV show? It was a spin off of The Cosby Show when Denyse went to college. I thought it was pretty cool. However, the different world I'm thinking of is something entirely different. This weekend Jason and I went around Oklahoma City, doing things we haven't done. We went to Pops a convenient store that has over 500 sodas in it and a great diner. Yummy.

I also wanted to see a movie so we went to the theater. There wasn't a whole lot of choices at the time we went except Street Kings with Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker. I heard it was intense and good so we went to see it. I knew it was going to be intense and violent. After all it was about dirty cops and seeking "justice." While I was coming out of the theater I said, "I'm glad I don't live in that kind of world." It's odd, though, I actually like seeing those kind of movies. Not because I think they are cool but just because they are out there. I've seen Hustle and Flow which is a rough movie and others like 8 Mile, Crash, etc... again not because they are cool but because it's a dose of reality. I know they are movies but they are based on experience. If someone thought it up, then someone has seen it or heard about it. This evening, for instance, I watched Law & Order: Special Victims Unit where there were people selling children from Africa as slaves to the United States. How can someone think about doing this? It boggles the mind, or at least my mind.

I think my point is that sometimes I can't believe the things people do to people and how blessed I am personally to not be in or even touch some of those situations. I'm talking poverty that can lead to prostitution, drugs, violence, etc... I thank God everyday for the home I grew up in and the influences of my parents and grandparents and friends. Granted not all my experiences have been great but not so terrible I couldn't ever recover. I don't know if I'm making sense to anyone, but it makes sense to me. I can't be naive about what's going on out there but I can't let the world burden me either. We live in a chaotic, crazy world. I'm glad I know someone who has already taken care of my life for me and the lives of others and that would be Jesus Christ. I am an empathetic person and I cry every time I watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition because I can feel for those people who deserve a new home. I do NOT, however, know how Jesus can stand just watching us do the things we do and not banish us all. He is the most empathetic and experienced one out there who has had all the world's hurts on him. WOW! I can't even fathom that.

That leads me to the next thing we went to see which was the Oklahoma Memorial. I have never been there and I wanted to see it. It was one of the most peaceful places I have ever been, especially in a city. The event happened 13 years ago yet still impacts people today. The monument is beautiful but what I really liked (if you can like that sort of thing) is the the statue outside of the memorial. It is of Jesus weeping.

Again, how does someone think up something to do like blow up a government building and kill 186 people including children. It is something that should make us all weep. Look how far we've gotten in the quest for humanity!!! But all that to say once again. I am at peace (most of the time ;) because of what Jesus said to his disciples (us included):

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Look folks!!! He says he's already overcome the world. He said that 2000 years ago in the past tense. He's already taken care of all the bad stuff. What hope and peace that brings me. Yes, there is still suffering out there and there is a reason but I won't reiterate about why we need to suffer. You can read a previous blog for that here.

We just need to believe and be reminded of that daily because we are reminded daily of how awful life can be. Don't worry, I know life can be awesome too. I just need to look at Jason and my nieces to be reminded of that too.

Peace in Christ to you and yours.

Love,
Jessica

An interior view of the exterior walls.


Can you see Jason? He's that short dude in front.


Close up of the bottle.


The happy couple!

Blah....

Well there are a lot of fun things going on in my life, but I feel pretty blah at the moment. It's a come and go thing but it's a pretty constant come and go. Here's the thing. I've gained a lot of weight and it's because I'm bored and lonely. Yeah, lonely. I need some girl friends. I need a hobby that doesn't involve the computer, cooking or watching TV. I used to have a lot but it involved people. Mainly girls. I used to have a list of things I wanted to do in my life, but I can't seem to "find the time" or "have the money" to do them. I've always wanted to learn how to paint with watercolors and other mediums. I started to knit about 1000 years ago but I tackled a huge project and I now don't have the motivation to finish it. I've always wanted to learn karate/self-defense. I want to do a lot of things with my life but I can't seem to get off my lazy butt and do them. I have realized I am a people person. I need people. Yes, I have Jason and he's great and I love him. But he has his hobbies and he's not so much of a people person. I used to go to the movies and rent foreign films to "broaden my mind" but I don't do that now. I'm still reading though!!! Just finished a "preview" book for the school library called A Taste for Rabbit. It's very interesting. It's in a world where foxes, badgers, weasels and rabbits are sentient, or able to think and talk like people. There is universal law that says one can't eat prey who is sentient. The plot is about wanting to eat something but shouldn't because it has human characteristics...there's a moral in there somewhere. It's pretty cool. I think I will recommend it to the library.

Anywhoooo....I didn't write this blog so people can feel sorry for me. I've already gone through the "I feel sorry for myself" phase. What I need to do now is find something I enjoy doing so I won't get bored and won't be lonely so I won't eat!!! It's a vicious cycle!!!

Here are some things that have struck me recently (aside from all the lonely and bored crap):

• There have been some MAJOR wildfires in Oklahoma. It's incredible and I've never seen anything like it. Driving home from school about once a week I see the ominous smoke "signals" and sometimes I've seen two or three in the same drive. Well, yesterday I had the day off and I drove over to Comanche to see Ruth and the boys and when I was on my way back I could see the smoke for miles. I kept getting closer and closer and realized that I will be driving by exactly where it will be (thank goodness not through the smoke, the wind was blowing it away from me). I actually got some pictures on my cell phone.

• Now, there are going to be some major black spots left on the ground BUT it's so amazing that after a couple of weeks the grass has grown and it's greener than the other grass around it. That gives me a little hope for some reason. It tells me, yes, you might have to get burned sometimes but afterward you're stronger for it, or prettier or whatever...
• Almost two months until Jason and I are married. I'm really excited about this!!!! Except the bridal portraits are giving me some trouble, but I'm sure I'll get it worked out.
• What else...I'm sooooo excited about school being out!!! Don't get me wrong, I still love what I'm doing but I'm looking forward to this summer....hmmmmmm, don't have a clue why!!!!
  
• I can't wait to go to the Bahamas!!!! AAAHHHHH A new adventure!
• I got a hair cut...it's different and I like it. (Not right now, I haven't fixed it).
  

I think that will do me for now. Signing off!!!

Later taters,
Kitty